Tennessee judge declines to grant same-sex couple a divorce

Tennessee judge declines to grant same-sex couple a divorce

August 8th, 2014by The Knoxville News Sentinel in Local - Breaking News

KINGSTON, Tenn. - An East Tennessee judge has declined to recognize the Iowa marriage of two men in his courtroom for a divorce.

Frederick Michael Borman and Larry Kevin Pyles-Borman were married four years ago in Iowa. The Knoxville News Sentinel said they separated less than a year later after moving to Roane County, Tennessee, and Frederick Borman filed for divorce in March.

Roane County Circuit Judge Russell E. Simmons Jr. ruled this week as arguments in cases from Tennessee and three other states regarding gay marriage were heard by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

Spokeswoman Leigh Ann Jones said the Tennessee attorney general's office is gratified by the ruling.

Attorney Mark Foster, who represented Borman, said his client is reviewing his options, including a possible appeal.